Road Trip

The Oregon Legislature approved a bill this session that authorizes ports to operate shipyards. For the Port of Toledo, it is one of many steps in efforts to restore an economic driver for the region. But, some private shipyards in Oregon fear they’ll lose millions of dollars in business.

The Oregon Coast Aquarium has been ranked among the top ten in North America. As part of our 50th Anniversary Road Trip Series, KLCC’s Tiffany Eckert shares the sights and sounds during a private tour of Newport’s 25-year old aquarium.

We’re all about sound here at KLCC. And so is the Ocean Acoustics Program at NOAA’s facility in Newport. Its program manager, Bob Dziak and his team of nine researchers, analyze underwater recordings which help gauge the health and activity of the waters. KLCC’s Brian Bull visited Dziak recently as part of our ongoing 50th Anniversary Road Trip.

Author Garth Stein has inspired millions with his book, The Art of Racing in the Rain, about a dog obsessed with car racing and believing he’ll be reincarnated in human form. The book is the focus of this year’s Newport Reads program. Garth Stein will appear at the Newport Performing Arts Center on April 19th, and at the Downtown Eugene Public Library on April 22nd. He speaks with KLCC’s Eric Alan.

Over the past several years, Springfield has worked to improve its image. Once known for empty storefronts, seedy bars and crime, the city has used art in its efforts to revitalize downtown. This took a lot of help from the community.

In 2008, KLCC’s Angela Kellner reported on efforts to revitalize downtown Springfield. Business owners cited crime, parking and lighting as a few of the challenges impeding their success. Nine years later, Kellner follows up on efforts to fix those problems.